SPORTS briefs
Hornets fire coach Steve Clifford after five seasons
First the general manager, now the coach.
In another move aimed at getting the Charlotte Hornets on track, majority owner Michael Jordan fired coach Steve Clifford on Friday after the team went 36-46 and failed to reach the playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons.
Clifford had a year left on his contract. The move to dismiss him came after his face-to-face meeting Friday with new general manager Mitch Kupchak.
NFL seeks special investigator in concussion settlement
The NFL accused some lawyers representing players in the $1 billion concussion settlement of fraud and wants a special investigator appointed. Plaintiffs’ lawyers contend the league is not awarding settlement funds fast enough. So far, $227 million in claims have been awarded.
The league made its request Friday in U.S. District Court for Eastern Pennsylvania, saying that attorneys, doctors and former players are attempting to cheat the program.
The NFL cited an independent study that recommended denying more than 400 claims because of fraud, including schemes by lawyers and medical personnel working with former players.
Busch brothers will start on the front row at Bristol
BRISTOL, Tenn. - NASCAR points leader Kyle Busch edged older brother Kurt Busch by 0.002 seconds Friday to take the pole for the Cup Series race Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway. It marks the third time the Busch brothers have started on the front row together, and the first since 2013. In all three cases, Kyle started first and Kurt second.
Kyle Busch is coming off a victory last week at Texas Motor Speedway.
Kyle Busch had the only Toyota in the top 10.
He was followed by four Fords, with Brad Keselowski, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Ryan Blaney rounding out the top five. In all seven, Fords will start in the top 10.
Thunder guard Brewer questionable for opener against Utah
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Thunder might be without starting shooting guard Corey Brewer for their first-round playoff series opener Sunday against Utah.
Brewer sprained his right knee during Oklahoma City’s regular-season finale against Memphis. He did light work Friday and didn’t practice. Another Thunder shooting guard, Alex Abrines, is in concussion protocol. He was injured during a win over the Miami Heat on Monday and didn’t play against Memphis. The reserve averages 4.7 points per game and has made 84 3-pointers this season.
Wizards’ Meeks suspended 25 games
NEW YORK - The NBA has suspended Washington Wizards guard Jodie Meeks 25 games without pay for using a banned substance.
The league announced the suspension Friday, a day before Game 1 of the Wizards’ first-round playoff series against the East’s top-seeded Toronto Raptors. The NBA says Meeks tested positive for Ipamorelin, a growth hormone that’s prohibited under the league’s drug program.